A SUSPECTED scam in which mobile phone users are encouraged to make a £12- £15 call to claim a free holiday in France is being investigated by phone watchdogs.

The so-called “holiday” turns out to be a shared room in a Parisian suburb, accessed from Britain by coach.

Over the past few weeks subscribers to the T-Mobile network have received text messages telling them they have won a “fully paid” four-day holiday in Paris. They are told to call a premium rate telephone line.

The scheme has nothing to do with T-Mobile and callers are charged £12 by Box Telecom, a Manchester-based company, for calls made to the premium rate number. Charges rise to £15 if the call is from a mobile phone rather than a landline. The charges are made clear in the text message sent out by Box Telecom.

When the number is called a message plays for more than 7½ minutes before a “security code” needed to claim the holiday is given. Along the way callers learn that Paris is “the eternal city of light, radiating 2,000 years of history and culture” and that it “intrigues, provokes and overwhelms”.

Arrangements are only free for lone travellers if they share a room with a stranger of the same sex.

Last week ICSTIS, the premium phone line watchdog, announced an investigation. oMotorists are likely to be fined £200 for using mobile phones for calls or text messages while driving, it was reported last night.

Under the proposed legislation, to be introduced around Easter, offenders would not be given points on their licences.

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